Metallographic polishing machine



S 934. J. P. B-UCKLEY 1,972,086

METALLOGRAPHIC POLISHING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-7 30- 30' FIG.8.

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p 1934. J. P. BUCKLEY 1,972,086

METALLOGEL KPHIC POLI SHING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 4,1934. J, P. ,BUCKLEY 1,972,086

METALLOGRAPHIC POLI SHING- MACHINE ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

1,972,086. METALLOGR A PHIC POLISHING MACHINE JohnP. Buckley, Washington, D. 0. Application lVlay '15, 1931, Serial No. 537,690

10 Claims. (01. 51 124) My invention relates broadly to grinding and polishing machines and more particularly to.a simplified construction of grinding and polishing machine in which specimens may be formed and polished with a high degree of precision.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simplified construction of grinding and polishing machine wherein a centralized driving apparatus operates to perform a multiplicity of functions in the grinding and polishing of selected specimens.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simplified construction of grinding and polishing machine wherein a multiplicity of specimen carriers may be individually rotatably driven for subjecting specimens to an abrading action with respect to a rotatably driven abrading disc, the specimen carriers being automatically and periodically shifted laterally of the abrading disc for efiecting agrinding and polishing operation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of metallographic polishing and grinding machine having a central vertically extending rotatably driven shaft adapted to drive an abrading disc and having means driven by said shaft for imparting rotary motion to a multiplicity of specimen carriers disposed above the disc with separate means actuated by said shaftfor subjecting said specimen holders for movement laterally of the abrading disc in recurring cycles.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in a simplified construction-of metallographic grinding and polishing machine as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of polishing machine constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is aside elevationof a machine illustrated in Fig. 1 partially broken away to illustrate the abrading disc and arrangement of specimen holders which are driven withrespect thereto; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the transmission mechanism for imparting rotary motion to each of the specimen holders; Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the mounting of one of the specimen drivers; Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the specimen holdersshown in Fig. 4;.Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the specimen holder shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a. crosssectional view of the shaft which operates the specimen driver taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the washer-device which is used as a key for locking the specimen driving shaft with respect to the driving'head for each specimen holder; Fig. 9 is a plan view representing the location of the specimen holders with respect to the eccentric driving'action of the abrading disc; Fig. 10 illustrates a modified method of drivingthe abrading disc; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the drive means illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a modified arrangement of specimen driver embodying my invention; Fig. 13 shows another modified form of specimen driver constructed according to my invention; Fig. 14 is an elevational view with a number of parts shown in cross-section and illus trating a modified form of the grinding and polishing apparatus of my invention; Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 15.15 of Fig.'14

and showing the arrangement of shifting mechanism forthe specimen holders forming .part of the apparatus of my invention; and Figs. 16 and 1'7 show a modified form of specimen driver.

Heretofore in the art the construction of metallographic polishing and grinding machines has been relatively complicated and the manufacture thereof expensive. My invention is directed 'to a construction of precision type metallographic grinding and polishing machine which will permit K specimen holders. The specimen holders may also be mounted'on eccentrics so that the simultaneous drive of both the abrading disc and the specimen Yholders results in a planetary movement of the specimen holders with respect to the'eccentric movement of the abrading disc insuring a positive polishing and grinding action of the specimens under treatment. In another. form of grinding and polishing mechanism according to my inven' tion, the specimen holders are rotated about con centric axes whilethe abrading disc is giY'n-a planetary movement for 'eifecting a grinding and polishing action with respectto the specimens carried by the specimen'holders. In a'further form of. my invention the abrading disc is driven concentrically and each of the specimen holders concentrically driven through the ,same driving ice mechanismand in addition the driving means for Z the specimen holders are givena lateral periodic movement over the surface of the abrading disc for insuring an effective polishing action.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1 designates a supporting framework for a table 2 having laterally extending shelves 3 and 4 therebeneath. The lateral shelf 3 provides a mounting for a pair of pulley members 5 which serves to direct the driving cable 6 from the drive pulley 46 on motor. .M to the. driven pulley 44 on the vertically extending shaft 42 which is journaled with respect to the table top 2'. The vertically extending shaft 42 which is journaled with respect to the table top 2 in the bearing 9 is se cured at its upper extremity to the abrading disc indicated at 41 for driving-the abrading disc 41. A pan 8 is mounted on the table 2 around the rotating disc 41 to carry away any of the grind-' ing paste, fluid, and other foreign matter through;

the discharge 8'. At one side of the tablev 2, I provide a standard shown at 7 through which the vertical shaft 13 passes. The shaft 13 carries pulley 14 on the lower end thereof. and pulley 15 on the upper end thereof. The shaftl3 terminates in a flange 13 which is apertured for thepassage of the screw 15 which engages the pulley 15. Shaft 13 may bedisengaged from the pulley 15 in order that arm 10 may be swung to one side to replace disc 41 when necessary. By providing the disconnection between shaft 13 and the pulley15 the belt 20 does not drag around the pulley'when the arm is swung around. The shaft 13 is journaled for rotationand'is suitably aligned with respect to the supporting standard? by means of the bushing 12. The standard '7 terminates in a re-..

duced neck portionfla over whichthe arm 10 is mounted. The arm 10 may be secured with'respect to the standard '7 by means of the set screW 11 which bears'against the reduced portion 7a. of the standard. The arm 10 extends laterally with the abrading disc 41 and provides 'jou'r'nals'for a multiplicity of driven spindles which I. have desig: nated at 21,722 and 23 mounted in different radial positions on auxiliary arm'sllfi and 1'7 and the cen-. tral arm lfl-respectively. The central armlQ and the auxiliary arms '16 and 17 are arranged 120 apart so that the rotating. spind1es21', 22'and' 23 are permanently located at different spacial positions about the abrading disc 41. Each of. the spindles is provided with a driving pulley whichI have designated at 24, 25 and 26 around which the driving belt20 passesfr'ornthe driving pulley 15 in the manner shown. Each of the spindles 21} 22 and 23 carries a specimen drivershown more clearly in Fig. 4. g d The specimen drivers each comprise downwardly depending prongs which I havedesignated at-22, 22",- and 22", the prongs being. forked at their extremities as de'signated'at 34 to embraceradially extending pins 35 in the specimen holder 39. The pins 35in the specimen holder 39 are located 120 apart and permit the specimen holderto be tightly-gripped by the depending prongs for rotation during the grindinga'nd'pol ishing action. The specimen holder is'illu's'trated in the form of an inverted cup having'Qa flange 37 thereon and a centraljreces's38 therein which re ceives the specimen .to be subjected to polishing and grinding'action.. The rotatable. spindles are each provided with a longitudinally extending groove shown more clearly in Fig. 7 where spindle 22 is designated as having a' longitudinally ex tendingg oove .27. A ,washer'member 28 is secured to the supporting plate 29 of the prong support for the rotary specimen driver by means .of'rivet, members 30 which passthrough apertures abrading disc.

30' to the washer member 28. An inwardly projecting tongue 28' is carried by the washer member 28 and engages the longitudinally extending groove 27 inthe rotatable spindle so that rotary motion is imparted to the prong support upon rotation of the spindle independent of vertical adjustment of the prong support along the rotatable shaft 22. Each of the rotatable spindles is provided .with a central recess .32. having a spring member 33 disposed therein. The spring member 331s confined between the end of the plunger member 31 and the end of an adjusting screw 36. The plunger member 31 is slidably disposed within an internal bore formed in rotatable shaft 22. The plunger member rests at its lower end upon the tongue 28 of washer 28. A downward force is therefore continuously applied to each offthe rotating spindles for maintaining the specimensin the specimen holders against the The adjusting screw 36 is screw threaded into the-end of. the rotating spindle above the'drive pulley as shown, for example, at 25 in Fig. 4. It will'be understood that the plate member 29 which carries the prongs constituting the specimen holder is free torise vertically on the rotating shaft 22, the tongue28f of washer 28 moving in the longitudinal'groove27 in the rotatable shaft 22 and abutting against the central plunger member31 which is yieldably adjusted in position under the action of spring 33. This combination insures a precision adjustment for obtaining the .requiredgrinding and polishing ac tion on the specimen which is embedded inthe socket 38 inthe specimen holder 39. In order to insure a more positive abradin'g and polishing action, ,I maydrive the abrading disc 41 through a, planetary movement shown more clearly in Figs. 10 andl-l. The driving shaft extending from the pulley 44 has been shown at 42 carrying a link. 43 thereon .whichli'nk serves as a carrier for-the vertically extending rotatable shaft 51. Shaftfil has, a gear 52 thereonwhich is guided by the annular rack-53 around which the vertical? ly disposed shaft 5 1 is; driven. The'gear 52 in meshing with the rack 53 serves to impart rotary movement to the shaft 51 so that the abrading disc 41 is both rotatably driven and shifted in aplanetarymanner for insuring ,a proper abrad: ing and; polishing action upon the specimens which are mounted adjacent the abrading disc.

As represented in Figs. 12 and 13, the-specimen drivers maybe each eccentrically driven. Fig. 12 shows a specimen driver wherein the rotatable shaft '22.:connects to the plate member 29 adjacent one side thereof so .that rotary motion imparted to shaft 22 serves to eccentrically drive the specimen holder with respect to the abrading 'discL-I'I'he same vertical adjustment. mechanism is provided in theconstruction of Fig. l2 as that heretofore described in Fig. 4. I

I'n'Fig. 13, I haveshown another form of'eccenvtric ally driven specimen driver wherein theplate member 29-"is supported from the rotatable shaft 22' by means '-of a dependin'g member 47-.Which extends from-- a laterally extending link 48 con-- nected to the end of rotatable shaft 22. The member' 4'1 connect's'centr'allyof the-plate 29. An eccentric driving mouse is therefore: imparted i to the specimen holder as the-'shaft' 22 rotates. In

order to provide for the-vertical adjustment of the specimen holder, a l'at'erally extendingmemher, 49 is connected immediately above the'plat'e member29 and is secured to the endfof the plunger member .31which extends' through the bore 7 in the rotary shaft 22 in the manner similar to the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 12.

In order to provide for the more thorough grinding and polishing of the specimens I may provide an additional mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the several specimen holders with respect to the abrading disc 41. As illustrated inFigs. 14 and 15, the rotatable shaft 42 which is .journalled vertically of the supporting frame. 1 and mounted by means ofbracket 54 is providedwith a cam 55 which is rotatably driven for shifting the bar56 against the action of spring 57. Spring 57 is secured to a portion of the bracket 54 which depends from the top of the supporting table 2. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 14and 15 the pedestal member '7 at one side of the table top 2 has a rotatable sleeve member 59 extending therethrough. The rotatable shaft 13 which carries the pulleys 14 and 15 is journalled within the sleeve 59. The arm 10 in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 connects to the upper extremity of sleeve 59 by means of set screw 11. The construction of the arm and the depending rotatable spindles is similar to the arrangement heretofore described. The lower extremity of the sleeve 59 projects beyond the member '7 and is supported therein by the abutment of the lower face of the arm 10 with the top of the member '7. The laterally extending bar 56 is secured to the sleeve 59 by means of set screw 60 and is held in engagement with one side of the cam 55. The spring 5'7 maintains the bar 56 against the cam 55 and as the shaft 42 rotates, and moves the cam 55, an oscillatory movement is imparted to the bar 56 for imparting angular movement to the sleeve 59 for correspondingly shifting the arm 10 laterally with respect to the abrading disc 41 and having the effect of shifting the spindles across the, grinding surface of the abrading disc 41. This lateral movement of the several spindles is wholly independent of the rotary driving movement which is imparted to the spindles through the belt 61 which is driven from pulley 45 around the pulley 14. That is to say, from the motor M power is derived for imparting rotary motion to the abrading disc 41 simultaneously rotating each of the specimen holders for periodically sweeping the specimen holders laterally across the path of rotation of the abrading disc. rotation of the spindles with respect to the movement of the abrading disc and the lateral shifting of the specimens across the grain of the abrading-disc insures a thorough polishing and grinding action upon the specimens within the specimen holder. The eccentric mounting of the spindles and/or the abrading disc serves to further increase the grinding and polishing action upon the specimens carried by the specimen holders.

Figs. 16 and .17 show a modified form of driver wherein the holder shaft 22 hasa pin 22a.extending laterally therethrough with the ends of the pin projecting beyond the limits of the shaft 22 for limiting the downward movement of the plate 29 of the specimen driver. The plate member 29 is free to be moved vertically with respect to shaft 22 for placing a specimen holder in position above the abrading disc. The plate member 29 in the modified construction shown in Figs. 16 and 17 is provided with a set screw 29a passing radially through the plate member 29 and having a pin 29b thereon which extends into the path of the pin 31 providing an abutment for the lower end thereof, the pin 31 being maintained under tension by means of spring 33. The specimen The combined action of the pin 29b abutting with the lower end of rod 31' and moving the rod vertically against the action of spring 33 within. limits imposed by the groove 27 in the side of shaft 22.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are" intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows? '1. Grinding and polishing'apparatus compris ing a frame structure, rotary driving mechanism carried by said frame structure, a vertically extending shaft journaled in said frame structure. a rotary abrading disc carried by the upper end of said shaft, a driving connection between said rotary driving apparatus and said shaft, a vertically extending standard erected adjacent one sideof said frame structure, a sleeve extending through said standard, a rotary transmission shaft extending through said sleeve and rotated from the disc carrying shaft, an arm extending laterally of said abrading disc and connected to said sleeve, a multiplicity of rotatable spindles carried by said arm immediately above said abrading disc, means for transmitting rotary motion from said transmission shaft to said spindles, and means actuated from said disc carrying shaft for imparting motion to said sleeve .and swinging said arm back and forth across said disc.

2. In a polishing and grinding apparatus, a frame structure, rotary driving mechanism carried by said frame structure, a shaft member journaled in said frame structure, a rotatable abrading disc carried by said shaft member, connections between said shaft member and said rotary driving mechanism, a vertically extending standard erected on said frame structure adjacent one side thereof, an arm extending laterally over said abrading disc and carried by said standard, a multiplicity of rotatable spindles depending from said arm immediately above said abrading disc, a rotary transmission mechanism extending through said standard, a driving connection between the driving shaft on said abrading disc, said rotary transmission mechanism and each of said rotatable spindles, and specimen drivers carried by each of said rotatable spindles,isaid specimen drivers each being vertically adjustable longitudinally of said rotatable spindles.

3. Grinding and polishing apparatus comprising a frame structure; rotary driving mechanism carried by said frame structure, a rotary abrading disc mounted for rotation with respect to said frame structure and connected with said rotary driving mechanism, a standard erected adjacent one side of said frame structure, an arm supported by said standard, a depending rotatable spindle carried by said arm, a specimen carrier slidable longitudinally of said spindle and held against rotation thereon, means for urging said carrier downwardly and holding a specimen in contact with said disc, means for driving said spindle from said driving mechanism, and means for reversibly moving said arm laterally across said abrading disc in timed relation to the rotation of said disc.

4. Grinding and polishing apparatus comprising a frame structure, rotary driving mechanism carried by said frame structure, a rotary abrading disc mounted for rotation with respect to said frame structure and connected with said rotary driving mechanism, a standard erected adjacent one:side of said frame structure, an arm sup ported by said standard, a depending rotatable spindle carriedv by said arm, means for driving. said spindle from said driving mechanism, a speci men holder slidably carried by saidspindle and held against rotation thereon, and means to yieldably urge the specimen holder downwardly and retain a specimen carried thereby in engagement with said disc.

5. Grinding and polishing apparatus comprising a frame structure,- rotary driving mechanism carried by said frame structure, a rotary abrading disc mounted for rotation with respectto said frame structure and connected with said rotary driving'mechanism, a standard erected adjacent one side of said frame structure, an armsupported by said standard, a multiplicity of depending rotatable spindles carried by said arm, means for driving each of said spindles from said driving mechanism, means operating in timedxrelation to the movement of said rotary abradingdisc for swinging said arm successively in one direction and then inv the reverse direction, a specimen holder carried by each of said rotatable spindles, the specimen holders being slidable along said spindles and held against rotation thereon, and means carried by each of, said spindles for resiliently pressing said specimen holders toward said abrading disc. y

6. Grinding and polishing apparatus comprising a frame structure, rotary driving mechanism supported by said frame structure, a vertically disposed shaft journaled in said frame structure, an abrading disc carried by said shaft, a standard erected at one side of said frame structure and extending vertically to a position above said abradingdisc, an angularly movable sleeve journaled in said standard, a rotary transmission member journaled in said sleeve, an arm projecting from the upper extremity of said sleeve to a position laterally over said abrading disc, a multiplicity of rotatable spindles journaled in said arm, means interconnecting said rotary driving mechanism with said shaft for rotatably driving said abrading disc, means interconnecting said shaft with said rotary transmission member, a connection with said rotary transmission member to each of said rotatablespindles,

an arm connected to said lower end of said sleeve,

and a cam member carried by said shaft adapted to engage said last mentioned arm for imparting periodic angular movement to, said sleeve and laterally shifting said rotatable spindles across the path of said abrading disc.

. '7. Grinding andpolishing apparatus comprising a frame structure, rotary driving mechanism supported by said frame structure, a vertically disposed shaft journaled in said frame structure, an abrading' disc carried by said shaft, a standard erected at one side of said frame structure and extendingvertically to a position above said abrading disc, an. angularly' movable sleeve jour 'i naled in said standard, a rotary-transmission member journaled'in said sleeve, an arm pr'ojecting from the-upper extremity of said sleeveto a position laterally over said abrading disc, a multiplicity of rotatable spindles journaledinsaid arm, meanseinterconne'cting said rotary driving me'chanismxwith said shaft forjrotatably' driving'saidabrading disc, means interconnecting said shaft with said :rotary transmission member, aconnection with said rotary. trans mission member to each of said rotatable spindles, an arm connected to the lower endrof said sleeve,- a cam member carried bysaid shaft adapted -to engage said-last mentioned armforv 9Q imparting periodic angulardmovement to-said sleeve and laterally shifting'rsaid rotatablespindles across the path of said abrading disc, and resilient means for maintaining said-last men tioned arm into engagement with said cam for effecting successive angular movement of said first mentionedarm. 1

8. In a polishing and grinding machine, a ro-'- tatable abrading disc, a rotatable spindleextend-j ing towards said disc, a specimen carrier, 2, 109 pluralityof radially disposed pins in said speci- I men carrier, means. connected with said spindle, and having. a multiplicity of vertically disposed arms extending adjacent the sides of. said speci= men carrier, said-arms being slotted for slidably engaging saidpins whereby said specimen carrier. is slidablewith respect to said spindle towards and away from said, discand maintained-in drivingrelation to said spindle; andmeans carried by said spindle to urge the carrier towards said disc and yieldably hold a'specimen in en,- gagement with the disc;

9. Ina polishing and grinding machine, a 'rotatable abrading disc, a rotatable spindle extend?- ing towards said disc. and formed with-an axially 1.15 extending bore, a specimen carrier slidable' longitudinally of said spindle and held againstrotation thereon and having a-stemslidably received in the bore, a springinthe bore engaging said stem, and an adjusting screw-engaging said spring 129 to place the spring under desired tension and urge said carrier towards said disc.

10. In a polishing and grinding machine, a rotatable disc, at standard, a core journaled through said standard, an arm extending from said core over said disc, at spindle .ro'tatably carried by saidarm and extending towards the; disc, a specimen holder carried by said spindle-,.means to rotate the 'disc and spindle in timed relation toeach other "including a transmissionshaft journaledthrough said core, a-bar projecting laterally'from said'coraand a rotary cam ongaging said abalrtoimpart rocking, motion to said core and" swing the arm to move thespecimen carrier back and forth across the disc as 35 the disc and specimen carrier. rotate.

. JOHN BUCKLEY. 

